The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told owners of 463,000 Kia Telluride SUVs to park outside during a Kia Telluride fire recall. The warning stays in place until Kia finishes a new repair for a front power seat motor that can overheat and start a fire.
Kia said it will notify affected owners starting on August 13 so they can schedule a fix at their local dealership. The recall covers Telluride crossovers from the 2020 through 2024 model years in the U.S.
Kia Telluride SUVs
Kia said dealers will install an electronic fuse assembly. The part is meant to stop the seat motor from running continuously if the seat switch becomes dislodged, internally misaligned or otherwise damaged.
The warning applies while the repair is pending. Owners of the vehicles were told to park outdoors away from buildings and other vehicles.
2024 recall issue
The vehicles were already recalled in 2024 for the same issue, and Kia is aware of seven seat fires and 11 seat motors melting. Fires could happen while the vehicle is parked or being driven.
If the front power seat slide cover or knob is hit or accidentally struck, the switch can shift out of position. That can lead to continuous operation and overheating of the seat motor, which is why the park-outside instruction remains in place until the new remedy is completed.
August 13 notice
Owners who receive the notice can use it to arrange the dealership repair. The immediate step is simple: keep the vehicle outside and away from other vehicles or buildings until Kia installs the fix.
